Norway has reached a significant milestone in electric vehicle (EV) sales, with a remarkable **97%** of new cars sold in **2025** being electric. This achievement solidifies Norway’s status as a global leader in EV adoption, surpassing the number of diesel vehicles on its roads for the first time. The country’s transport statistics agency, **OFV**, reported that of the **179,549** new passenger cars registered, **172,232** were fully electric, while **2,751** were plug-in hybrids.
Norway’s ambitious goal to end fossil fuel car sales by **2025** originated in **2017**, making it the first nation to set such a target. At that time, roughly **one-third** of new cars sold were electric, but the government committed to phasing out fossil fuel vehicles entirely within eight years. Contrary to skepticism from some quarters, Norway has adhered to its target and crafted effective policies to support this transition.
Record EV Sales and Market Shifts
The year **2025** marked a record for car sales in Norway, with **95.9%** of cars sold being either fully electric or plug-in hybrids, up from **88.9%** in **2024**. The remaining vehicles included **2,306** conventional gasoline hybrids, **1,773** diesel cars, and only **487** gasoline-powered vehicles, accounting for a mere **1.3%** of total sales. Notably, there were **zero** hydrogen cars registered, down from **nine** in the previous year.
December was particularly strong for EV sales, with **97.6%** of cars sold that month being electric. This surge was influenced by changes to the incentive structure, as Norway began reducing incentives for more expensive EVs, leading to a rush in sales, particularly for premium brands like **Tesla**. In **2025**, Tesla emerged as Norway’s top-selling car brand, capturing **19.1%** of the market, with the Model Y being the most popular model, outselling its nearest competitor, the VW ID.4, by a significant margin.
Electric Vehicles Outnumber Diesel Cars
In a pivotal development, electric vehicles have now outnumbered diesel cars on Norway’s roads. As of early December **2025**, EVs constituted **31.78%** of the total vehicle fleet, while diesel vehicles accounted for **31.76%**. Gasoline-powered cars made up **23.9%**, and hybrids comprised **12.56%**. This shift underscores the growing presence of electric vehicles as Norway continues its transition towards sustainable transport.
Despite this achievement, **Geir Inge Stokke**, director of OFV, emphasized that the journey is far from complete. He noted that **two-thirds** of passenger cars on the road still rely on fossil fuels. Stokke highlighted the need for ongoing efforts to encourage drivers of traditional vehicles to make the switch to cleaner alternatives. He pointed out that regions such as remote **Finnmark** still have lower adoption rates, with only **86%** of new car sales being electric.
As the incentive structure evolves, there may be a temporary downturn in EV sales in the coming months. Nevertheless, the momentum towards electric vehicles appears strong, suggesting that fossil fuel vehicles will continue to face challenges in the long run.
Norway’s achievements serve as a compelling case study in the successful implementation of policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainability in transportation. With ongoing commitment and innovation, the country is poised to further solidify its position as a pioneer in the global shift towards electric mobility.